Microsoft: Download The Official Windows 8.1 Preview ISO For Free

As promised by Microsoft, we can now test out Windows 8.1 via two ways – by downloading it from the Windows Store and via a downloadable ISO image for those who prefer the traditional method.

Windows 8 has always remained a very controversial OS, with users complaining about the removal of the Start button, and also about the new interface that Microsoft has come up with. The new OS created confusion among users, with many users still deciding to stick to older OS’s like Windows 7.

Windows 8.1 Offers Requested Features

With Windows 8.1, the company aims to change things and offers some features that users have been demanding for a long time. For example, the Start button is back on the Toolbar, and now there’s an option to boot directly to Desktop with no third-party app being required. The new universal search works great too, as with just one search, a user can get results from PC, apps and the web.

The company’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, said at the BUILD developer conference, “Within this month we’ll pass the 100,000 app mark in the Windows Store.” While this app mark is not that impressive, we just hope that Microsoft finally makes thing right with Windows 8.1.

Instructions

So if you’re finally thinking to try out Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file, then you can get it from here. Here’s what you need to do if you’re on Windows 8 already and want to install the Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file:

Download the ISO (.iso) file.

Double-click the ISO file.

Double-click setup.exe and follow the steps.

If you’re on Windows 7, then you’ll need to convert an ISO file to a DVD using Windows Disc Image Burner or any other similar tool.

Also make sure to read instructions carefully on the download page, as you won’t like to mess up anything.

Author: Saqib KhanSaqib is a technology writer, contributing news and how-to's. He thinks tech all the time, even when dreaming. Besides writing on ValueWalk, he also writes on Technostarry. You can reach him via Twitter.